Jumping through that window sent a thrill down Aurora's spine that was nothing like she had ever felt before. Part of her was pained to leave Valkyrie, but she knew she would fight by Thor's side no matter what. He had been the first person to ever show kindness towards her and she felt she owed it to him to be loyal when he needed help. Effortlessly, she slid down the angled glass building, using what little power she has left to balance herself for her landing so she didn't slam into the ground below. She caught the whiff of Thor's red cape as she bounded after him, feeling increasingly out of breath. Maybe she was becoming more human than she thought. Although she found humans fascinatingly complicated and beautiful, becoming one would mean unknown things for the universe she protected. She knew she would have to return to the stars soon, but she couldn't leave with unfinished business. Her people needed her right now. Her people being Thor. Part of her wanted to entertain the idea that Valkyrie needed her too, but Aurora knew that was a dreamer's wish.

She followed Thor into what looked like a spaceship; Aurora wondered what significance this had to Thor or if it had any at all. There were hundreds of wrecks like this one all over Sakaar, but this one seemed familiar to the God.

As she landed on the metal floor, Thor turned and jumped at the sight of her, "Ah! I... I knew you were behind me! I just--"

"Got startled?" Aurora asked with a teasing smile as Thor brushed her off with mockery. She laughed and followed him to the front of the ship. Judging by the way he navigated it, he had been on the vessel before.

"All right," the god muttered as he pressed a few buttons, seeming satisfied when things started lighting up. "So, that Valkyrie chick, eh?"

"She's quite interesting," Aurora chuckled, "Here, let me help."

Aurora placed her hands on the control Thor was messing with and channeled her power. Thankfully, it began to light up with power, but it needed a code to be unlocked so they could use it. Thor thanked her before she stepped back and let him press his hand against the sensor.

"Welcome. Voice activation required," the computer spoke.

"Thor," he spoke confidently. The computer beeped and didn't unlock. "Uh, Thor. Son of Odin." It beeped again. Aurora watched carefully, staying silent as she bit her nails out of nerves. "God of Thunder. Strongest Avenger. Strongest Avenger." Thor sighed, "Damn you, Stark."

Thor took a step back and Aurora searched her mind for a solution, "It's okay, maybe... maybe I can use my power to override it."

"Let me try again," Thor sighed, placing his hand back on the sensor, "Point Break."

"Welcome. Point Break," the computer beeped as it began to power on fully and Thor cheered. However, the moment was short lived as something tore the back of the ship clean off.

Hulk was there, yelling, "Friend, stay!"

"Oh, gods," Aurora muttered as the creature pounded through the ship, destroying it in his wake.

"No, no, no, stop!" Thor yelled, holding his hand out as if that would do anything against him. Aurora watched as the ship couldn't take the damage and began to power down. "Stop! Stop breaking everything!"

"Don't go!"

Aurora panicked and began to press random buttons along the center console, trying to figure out what still worked. She smacked her hand against the options that were still lit up, and a holographic video came up. It was a red-haired woman with sharp features, but a gentle voice. Aurora thinks she looks familiar and after a moment she remembers the woman from the Battle of New York. This was one of the Avengers.

"Nice work, big guy," the woman spoke, "We don't know where Ultron's headed, but you're going very high very fast. So I need you to turn this bird around, okay? We can't track you in stealth mode so I need you to help me out, okay? I need you to--"

The video cut out, but it had captured Hulk's attention long enough. His image shifted and he seemed distraught as he began to grunt and hit himself in the face. Thor grabbed Aurora out of the way as Hulk slammed himself into one of the walls right where she had been standing. She had no doubt she would have survived, but it probably would have hurt like hell. She watched on in horror  as the creature cried out and slammed himself into various areas of the ship. Yeah, the ship was not coming back from this one. It was heartbreaking to watch.

"No, no, Banner!" Thor called out and Aurora wondered who that was referencing. Did this creature have another name? Hulk seemed to shift into something else, something smaller for a moment before returning to his form. Eventually, the thrashing stopped as the creature gripped onto a ledge and began to heave as he became smaller and... less green. Thor took a step towards him, "Oh, jeez. Banner. Aurora look away, there's a good chance his clothes are going to fall off."

Aurora didn't listen though as she watched the creature shift into something else -- a man. Thor leaned down and placed a hand on the man's shoulder, calling him that name, again. Banner. The man jumped when Thor touched him and tried to get away, but the god was able to calm him down.

"Sun's going down, sun's going down," Thor muttered, which Aurora found odd. She wondered what the phrase meant in terms of the two men. Clearly, the two were friends. This was certainly an interesting development, Aurora hadn't realized the Hulk had another form. "That's it, breathe. I won't hurt you. Sun's going down."

The man sighed and seemed to calm down, placing a hand over his face as he groaned, "Thor?"

"Yeah, it's me," Thor muttered. It was sweet, Aurora thought, watching the interaction. It wasn't unexpected from Thor, but it was nice to see. The man's heart truly was wrapped in kindness -- the sort of thing that gave Aurora strength. Just watching the moment with a smile, she felt her power surge. She must have glowed a little brighter or done something to capture the attention of the others because the man turned to her.

"Who is she? Who are you?" the man spoke, his voice still dripping in disorientation.

"A friend," she led with, a comforting smile on her face, "My name is Aurora."

"She's here to help us," Thor reassured.

It was then that Banner looked back at Thor, "What happened to your hair?"

Thor chuckled, "Some creepy old man cut it off."

"It looks good."

"Oh, thanks."

"Where are we?" the man asked, "Oh, how's Nat?"

Thor cleared his throat nervously, "Oh, Nat is good, I'm sure."

Aurora wondered if this Nat they spoke of was the woman in the video. She kept silent, however, not wanting to bring up someone that might make Banner upset. Considering seeing her was enough to get him to transform, she was like a sensitive subject.

"Is she okay?" Banner asked, "And what about Sokovia?" 

"Sokovia?" Thor repeated.

"The city, Sokovia, did we save it?"

"Banner, listen," Thor sighed, looking confused, "Sokovia. Ultron. That was two years ago."

Banner's expression was bewildered as he sat up, asking, "So, you're saying... I've been Hulk for two years?"

"I'm afraid so."

The man pulled off the large necklaces around his neck, looking around at the two people in the ship before asking, "What the Hell happened?"

I'm trying to update my stories that haven't been updated in months, mainly my Marvel series, so enjoy a surprise update for this even though I haven't updated since June! Thank you to everyone who continues to support this story through all my slow updates and short chapters it means a lot every time I see a new vote or comment!